This image provided by the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children shows an undated photo of Avonte Oquendo. / AP

by Melanie Eversley, USA TODAY

by Melanie Eversley, USA TODAY

Human remains found in the East River near Queens, N.Y., this morning are being tested to see if they match an autistic boy who has been missing since October, according to various news reports.

Authorities believe the remains as well as a pair of Old Navy pants and Air Jordan sneakers are those of Avonte Oquendo, 14, according to the NY1 website. The pants and shoes are in the sizes and brands that Avonte was wearing, NY1 reports.

Avonte suffers from severe autism. He walked out of school in early October and did not return. Fliers with details of his physical appearance and disappearance have blanketed New York, and a few potential sightings have been reported.

Avonte's mother, Vanessa Fontaine, took DNA samples to the medical examiner's office on Friday, as well as a toothbrush and a birth certificate with his baby footprint, CBS reported. But she and Avonte's father, Daniel Oquendo, expressed hopefulness that the remains were not their son, news organizations report.

"We are still optimistic and will remain that way," Oquendo tweeted to NY1.

Of Vanessa Fontaine, CBS reports family lawyer David Perecman said, "She's not going to be convinced this is her son until there is something to convince her."

He added, "It's not Avonte until it's Avonte."

A teen discovered the remains Thursday night while taking photos of the waterfront in College Point, Queens, CBS reports.

Avonte was last seen on surveillance video walking toward a park along the East River on Oct. 4, according to CBS.

A Facebook page titled "Bring Avonte Home" implored the public to, "Please keep your thoughts and prayers with Avonte's family at this time."